HotToastyRag When you start out watching The Secret of Santa Vittoria, you're going to say, "You've got to be kidding me! This was up for two Academy Awards?" Believe me, I was right there with you, and I considered turning it off. Thankfully, I didn't, because it turned out to be a very good movie.It takes place in a small Italian village, and in the first scene we are exposed to the completely idiotic, ridiculously stupid character of Anthony Quinn. He's so moronic, it's almost unbelievable. But, there's a purpose to that opening scene. The Secret of Santa Vittoria takes place at the close of WWII. When Mussolini reaches his downfall, there's a change of power everywhere in Italy, even in this small town. Tony-whose character's very name is idiotic: Bombolini-is well-liked by his neighbors, and he's quickly elected Mayor. When it's learned that the Nazis are coming to occupy the village, everyone panics for an unsuspecting reason: the village's only income is their wine. They have a million bottles of wine, and if the Nazis confiscate them, the entire town will be ruined. Under the guidance of Tony, his strong wife Anna Magnani, the beautiful spy Virna Lisi, and former soldier Renato Rascel, the townspeople all come together to hide the wine.This sounds like a silly movie, but it's actually quite moving. Just like a family, the different residents who clash and fight with each other under normal circumstances all pull together during tough times. Director Stanley Kramer adds incredible tension to the sequences. The scene in which everyone starts to unload the wine bottles gave me goosebumps, and I know it will stay with me for a very long time. Ernest Gold, nominated for his music, adds a lively Italian score to the film, underscoring the hope felt by the townspeople during the terrifying time.Obviously, I recommend this movie. If you have a strong aversion to Italians or Italian culture, then you probably won't like it, but besides that, there's a good chance you'll wind up recommending it to your friends. There's humor, drama, romance, suspense, and a heartwarming sense of community-what else do you need?

Marcin Kukuczka Recently, I have had a chance to see Stanley Kramer's film on the big screen as a part of movie theater shows commemorating Anthony Quinn's 100 birth anniversary. The versatile and extremely talented actor as he was leads the expectation to keep at the very high level. And hardly ever are you, as a viewer, disappointed with the poignant portrayal of the leading character. However, THE SECRET OF SANTA VITTORIA clearly appears to be not merely an Anthony Quinn movie.As a matter of fact, the storyline itself does not raise much enthusiasm and does not offer so much as to make for a film that can really stand a test of time. Although it is set in the idyllic little town somewhere in the middle of the Italian peninsula and filmed primarily in such renowned surroundings as Viterbo or Tivoli, that is not where its power lies. Thoough the views are terrific. Nor does it in the direction by a renowned (at the time) but also controversial director Stanely Kramer. The movie's major strength lies in its 'characters' no matter if they are portrayed by greatest stars of the time (indeed, it is not short of them) or simple extras, the innumerable citizens of the town of Santa Vittoria, Bosley Crowther, the New York Times reviewer called a "picturesque familiar lot." The center of their town is a square (naturally) and a fountain with no saint but...a cute turtle, a silent observer of making history.In the character of the protagonist, Vittorio Bombolini, played magnificently by ANTHONY QUINN, you can easily recognize a variety of features that make him, on the one hand, one of the most 'ridiculous' mayors of a town like this and, on the other hand, one of the most appealing and likable fellows, one from his community, who 'smells his people.' He beautifully combines humor, parody even, responsibility, sentiment, compassion. After the propaganda of "Mussolini is always right" the new times for Santa Vittoria come..."Bombolini is always right." Corso Mussolini turns into Corso Bombolini and his people, except for his closest family (above all his wife Rosa) seem to like him. He forms a government of a very unique quality, something to laugh at...perhaps, but something to take for granted. They are all far from being sort of 'bookworms' or very learned in the statutes and law. However, his diplomatic mission will face a very hard dilemma of saving their greatest treasure, the local wine from the German occupying force. Anthony Quinn's moments prove sheer brilliance of performance and are all high worth seeing.ANNA MAGNANI as his wife Rosa delivers a tremendously emotional performance as a wife, as a mother, hardly a 'public persona.' The great amount of humanity that she puts to the role results in pure enjoyment of seeing her on the screen. Sometimes too brutal to her husband, sometimes furious, sometimes shedding a tear of two, she is never pale, a very vivid character that has not lost any of her power after the years.Quite a contrast to her 'neurotic' character appears to be La Contessa, Caterina played by an underrated Italian actress VIRNA LISI. She is a classical woman of inner struggle tormented by the choice of love. Is there any choice when she goes with the German (Hardy Krueger)? Clearly in love with Tufa (Sergio Franchi) whom she first nurses with the wounds of the war, she represents the positive aspect of aristocracy. Particularly appealing when working with the people when one passes to another...bottles of wine.A very interesting couple and a backdrop love story are Angela (Patrizia Valturri) and Fabio (Giancarlo Giannini). Two young people quite underrated in the town (consider Fabio bringing news to the town and the ignorance he meets). Their love affair is both serious and hilarious, something of a classical drama. Shocked parents end up taking part in the wedding of their 'beloved child' they have always aimed at protecting...SOME MOMENTS OF EXCEPTIONAL NOTE: The scene of passing the wine is, perhaps, too long but as it constitutes the crucial aspect of the plot, it remains most memorable. The almost 'acrophobic' moment of erasing the slogan "Mussolini is always right" highlights the irony of historic changes. The finale, being simultaneously dramatic, comedic and uplifting still makes viewers absorbed in every little move and helps leave the cinema with a smile and satisfaction of having seen something valuable.It occurs, with the passing of years, that THE SECRET OF SANTA VITTORIA is a movie like no other movie. Yes, like Cinzano wine, a wine like no other wine! This movie-wine relation is inseparable: the older, the better!

simon-bensasson I think I'll maintain a neutral stance on this one. It may be good, or it may be bad, but listening to Italians speaking in English in Italy makes the whole thing more of a pastiche than it really is. My review really stops here but as only a minimum of ten lines qualifies as a review, here is some waffle which you may ignore if you choose to. If you read the book already you may be disappointed. If you haven't, and really feel that you need to know what the secret of Santa Vitoria is you have the choice of either reading the book which is enjoyable but takes a longer time, or seeing the film, especially if you are the kind of person that doesn't like subtitles and don't mind listening to Italian peasants, all with a gift for foreign languages.

MartinHafer The film is set in Italy and begins just after the Italians surrender to the Allies during WWII. At first, the town is ecstatic--they are free and the fascists leaders quickly surrender the town to a man they designate the new mayor, Bombolini (Anthony Quinn). Bombolini seems ill-prepared, however, when the town learns that the Germans are coming--and will be occupying the town. However, a bright young man (Giancarlo Giannini) comes up with a great idea--to put all the town's wine in the Roman tunnels and then collapse the tunnels. That way, the Germans won't be able to steal the town's best resource. First, they need to move 1,000,000 bottles very quickly. Second, Bombolini needs to play nice to the German commander (Hardy Kruger) while also keeping the secret. Third, Bombolini needs to keep his nasty harpy of a wife (Anna Magnani) in line--and that might just be the most difficult task of all! So is the film any good? Of course. With Anthony Quinn in the lead, the film is naturally quite good--as he seems a natural. He is also ably assisted by a nice supporting cast and nice location shooting. However, the film is a bit odd. The first half was rather comical and light in mood. The final portion, with the Nazis, was very dark--and it drug a bit in tempo compared to the first part. Not a perfect film but a very good one.